I am very interested in the reasoning behind having to wait seven years from the
pastor in order to confirm your calling that you felt, was it because you were
young? Did he wait seven years for everyone or just you? I also agree that the
desire to teach is quite an essential component when being called to the ministry.
The affirmation given in the examples that you showed over possible favoritism
and when others just do not listen, as teachers we are put on display for all to
see, we need to continually be in prayer on not only the calling but where we are
to serve out that calling, maybe the church that does not respect the pastor,
needs help from the spirit or the pastor needs to go where the church is more
receptive, there are many churches that have boards that will push good pastors
out however we need to remember that “preaching and teaching God’s word has a
way of stripping ministers bare; it exposes us and puts our gifting on public
display.”[1] As you mentioned “the desire to teach is an essential component when
called to the ministry.” c c
In reading your post I found myself wondering how your call to ministry compared to
what was outlined as the model necessary by Allen. Do you have the unquenchable thirst
for preaching and teaching the word of God to the people in order to fulfill the Great
Commission? c In Jeremiah 1:5 it tells us, “Before I formed yo Allen assert that not
everyone is called to ministry and that those called to ministry must receive the
gift to preach and teach from God alone. Therefore, preaching and teaching the
word can only be gifted and ordained by God (Allen, 63). As written in 2 Timothy,
those called to ministry must “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of
season; reprove, rebuke, with great patience and instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2, NIV). c
Not only must the pastor receive the gift to preach form God, but he must also be
supported by his church and the congregation.
The pastor must love the gospel and have love for the people that he is
ministering, but most importantly he must be passionate about fulfilling the Great
Commission (Allen, 83). The call to preach must be such that nothing else will
distract from it and the preachers is only fulfilled will walking in his/her calling to
preach the word. Preachers must be passionate about doing the work of God and
surrendering to his call, by being willing to follow his call wherever it may lead
(Allen, 125). c
The narrative presented by Allen related to being called to ministry is very
reflective of my call to minister. However, I think for many if the call to ministry
comes at an early age you find reasons to suppress the call for the sake of free-
will. My call to ministry presented itself around the age of thirteen and for much
of my life I was regularly approach by family members, friends and ministry
leaders asking when I was going to walk in my calling, but I never really gave it
much thought. c Although, it was always a burning desire that resonate deep within,
and I would sometimes be envious of those that were in the pulpit but failed to
act upon it.
Several years ago, the call became one I could no longer ignored, and I found
myself meeting with church leaders and taking he necessary steps to begin the
process of ministry. The most important thing for me was studying to ensure that
as I ministered the word was never returned void and the hearers were edified. In
coming into my call, I was confirmed by church leaders and voted on by the
congregation. c I was supported by other ministers and often encouraged to speak
at events and engage with others needing to be ministered too. There are times
when I have doubted the authenticity of my call to ministry and the Holy Spirit
seemingly places me in situations that demonstrates the ordination of God on my
call to serve in ministry. c In many ways the various questions addressed by Allen
is reminiscent of my walk and call to ministry.
Allen, Jason, K., “Discerning Your Call to Ministry: How to Know for Sure and What
to Do About It”, Chicago, IL, Moody Publishers, 2016.
u in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you
a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5, ESV), in this vain God has destined each of us
to fulfill his plan and he has given each of us spiritual gifts to accomplish his mission. In
many ways my call to ministry mimics that refenced by Allen and left me unable to
focus on other goals and dreams until I fulfilled that for which I was pre-ordained to
complete. You noted that “the idea of sacrilege or faithlessness connected to
questioning something as serious as a call to ministry is an outdated congregational
notion which should never have survived in the first place.” c Although I did not fully
understand what you meant by “congregational,” I think the notion of not asking
questions is more connected with the modern Pentecostal movement than anything else,
especially the word of faith movement. There is a great need for potential pastors to
assess themselves to see if they qualify for the ministry. c One can see the great need for
qualified pastors in our current evangelical milieu. c The failure of Christian leaders who
have been so publicized should motivate churches to be more diligent in making sure
that their leaders are called and qualified ministers of God’s Word. c Allen gives a great
observation, writing, “Every pastor is a steward of God's glory, and every pastor
influences his church, for better or worse.”[1] I think this is an important concept to
remember for every church looking for a new pastor. c Thank you again for your post, and
may the Lord bless your studies at Liberty.
c c c c c c c c c c c c c [1] Jason K Allen, Discerning Your Call to Ministry (Chicago: Moody
Publishers, 2016, 2016), 61.
